Hello!! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts about the Prius c and I have to say that my purchasing decision has been highly influenced by your praises of this car. One thing that makes me nervous is the slow deceleration of the c at high speeds. My commute to work is an hour on the highway. Any advice to ease my mind?
Would you care to be a bit more specific? How high the speed? Hills? Very heavy traffic? Prii are designed to roll, coast, glide, cut through the wind more efficiently than most other cars. This is a good thing for gas mileage. When you lift your foot off the accelerator, the car doesn't decelerate as rapidly as most. It is designed in, purposefully. Keep a 2 or 3 second cushion between you and the vehicle in front of you, and you should be happy. I realize that invites careless drivers to cut in front of you, but them's the brakes. If you are in hilly terrain with steep declines, there is the B selection on the shifter to act as an engine brake and save the mechanical brakes from overheating.
Thank you ufourya!!! I will be heading out at 65 -80mph. No hills on the highways I will be taking out here in MA. The evening traffic is a hit or a miss... Not worried about the conjestion just concerned about going at 75/80 and having to slow down rapidly....
You may already know, but it should be noted that going 75-80 mph you'll get maybe 43-47 mpg. The car will decelerate fairly quickly at those higher speeds due to air resistance, too.
given: gliding = slight throttle to remove regen (or in neutral) coasting = no throttle or brake input then: gliding is better than coasting coasting is better than adding more regen from the brake pedal regen braking is better than friction braking friction braking is better than hitting something. Your brakes will slow the car as quickly as those of any other car, more or less. Leave more distance from the car ahead so that you need the brakes less. friction braking converts your momentum to waste heat. regen braking converts your momentum to electricity in the HV pack, but incurs conversion losses.